New badge…

Tonight Andy and I earned another badge of parenthood…and we both saw how having a kid completely changes the way you react in scary situations.

Tonight Charley choked on some food…full blown choking. I clarify this because Andy always corrects me when some water goes down the wrong pipe, and I’m coughing like crazy saying, “I’m choking”…to which Andy replies, “No you’re not…if you were choking you wouldn’t be able to make any noise”. Thanks, smartass…now help me.

Choking has been one of my biggest fears with Charley…and I’ve almost been dreading introducing solid food to her because of it. Breastfeeding is so much easier. And of course lil’ miss independent insists on feeding herself. When I first gave her some ‘real food’ I watched her like a hawk…never turning my back because I was sure she was going to choke. I still saw her as the tiny newborn that wouldn’t even take a bottle…no way she knew how to chew. But she did. And for the past month sister has been a pro…which has led me to be more relaxed around her. I never leave her unattended, but I find myself turning my back for a second to get something out of the fridge or the pantry. Which is what happened tonight.

Charley had finished eating her dinner and was eating some yogurt bites for dessert. I turned my back to get something out of the pantry when I heard her struggling to cough. I ran over to her just as she inhaled…silence…her arms flailing and her face a deep shade or reddish/purple. Everything happened so fast after that. Normally I struggle to maneuver her high chair tray. I can never seem to press the right buttons…but tonight I showed super human strength and tore that tray off in less than a second…throwing it on the floor. I grabbed Charley and did back blows until I heard her cough. Andy was right there too…holding his hand under Charley’s mouth. I love it. My husband…who gets grossed out over other people’s bodily functions…was ready to catch whatever came out of his daughter. That’s love.

Once we knew Charley was okay I brought her to my chest and just held her…shaking…tears welling up in my eyes.

Within a few minutes she was good as new. Rolling around on the bed while I wrestled to get her clothes off to take a bath. I…on the other hand…I still can’t quit thinking about it. I keep seeing her face, and how scared she was.

And here’s something…

I always say how things happen for a reason. I have ALWAYS buckled Charley in her highchair…which has the same kind of straps as a carseat…it’s a pain to have to tuck her arms in and out of them. However, yesterday my good friend Amber watched Charley for me, and when I went to pick her up Charley was in her daughter’s high chair…without the straps. After that I realized Charley would be fine with just the tray keeping her in the chair. Now chances are, I would have been able to get Charley out even strapped in…but…because I didn’t I was able to grab her even faster. Pretty cool, God…pretty cool.

Needless to say I’ll be back to watching her like a hawk tomorrow…limiting the amount of food on her tray.

2 Responses

We’ve been there too, with Cheerios though. And in the subway, of all places. People kept staring at us as if it were a show. I felt horrible for my son, it was so scary. Glad your girl is doing alright.